Selections from Trella Romine's library at Terradise Nature Center
Ray Romine Poems
The agony the multitude must go through
Because of the avarice of a few!
Their greedy and grasping and blood-drenched claws
Can crack all decency: despoil our laws.
Reforms? There is nothing the many can do,
For trying too hard to be one of the few!
by Ray Romine Wednesday, October 16, 1946
This country must have spawned the phrase
“A Dog’s Life.” Seems to me
A dog might run for 40 days
To get from tree to tree.
by Ray Romine Sunday, July 10, 1949
Although the theme is worn and trite,
I trust you will excuse it,
For now I’ve started out to write,
It’s my turn to use it!
by Ray Romine Monday, October 11, 1948
My friend’s committed suicide–
He died in pure dejection;
He took a bit of cyanide
At his 90th rejection.
Yes, he’d been writing lyrics for
Songs cute and connivey
Which wouldn’t sell; but still, senior,
They BOUGHT “Li’l Lamsy Divey”!
by Ray Romine Tuesday, February 22, 1944
Doctor, probe me there and here;
Press and thump, have fun, old dear.
Check my height and my digestion;
Make me sick just by suggestion;
That’s an arm, doc, maul and grind it;
Feel my pulse if you can find it.
Tell me that you do not give
A whole lot for the way I live.
Check my plumbing and my heating;
Note at least my heart is beating .
And my blood; there should be ample
Of it there to make a sample.
Go ahead and question: strive at
Answers I had thought were private.
Take away big strong cigars;
Keep me out of dives and bars.
Stick me on a diet neat
Of things I cannot stand to eat.
Diagnose me, smooth as satin–
Shoot it all to me in Latin.
Do with me, doctor, as you will:
But OPERATE upon the bill.
by Ray Romine Monday, March 24, 1952
“Cut out spices, liquor, smoking;
If you eat, no over-stoking;
Cut down golf, slow up on stairs;
Don’t leap out of beds and chairs.”
Simple, huh? There’s nothing to it-
If it’s fun, then just don’t do it .
One more question, Doc, why can’t we
Take me out right now and plant me?
by Ray Romine Sunday, June 18, 1950
Who says the principle’s the thing
Should find another song to sing;
To him with gold, or him in tatters,
Experience teaches money MATTERS!
by Ray Romine Wednesday, January 10, 1951
The octopus pursues the bait
With tentacles which number eight.
He also owns a wicked beak
Designed to tear and not to speak.
Most movies give the guy top billin’
So long as he will play the villain.
Bewildered, though, his best friend begs:
“What has he eight of, arms or legs?”
(It’s difficult for one who loves
The guy. What buy him–shoes or gloves?)
by Ray Romine Saturday, October 27, 1951
A dark-skinned beauty named Olive
Once bit an olive in holive.
She said, “It isn’t bad feed
Except for the seed,
But I stil l prefer Roast Beef or Colive.”
by Ray Romine Friday, January 2, 1948
Why is it, I wonder, that–everytime–
I’ll spend the dime in place of the penny?
But isn’t it strange, when counting my change,
I look for the dimes–and there aren’t any?
by Ray Romine Wednesday, July 25, 1945